We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
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2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($490 USD)
access_time over 3 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different from how it was before because I have been able to but livestock such as dairy cows and goats through the transfers. Previously I did not have any in my compound and this was because of the poverty life that stricken my homestead. I am now hopeful and happier becasue I will now having some living assets to lean on just in case of any financial crisis. Courtesy of GiveDirectly.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well in almost everything. This is because, first, no one could be left out provided you are among the residents in that particular village. Besides, the money was sent directly to our phones. I do not see any sector GiveDirectly failed us.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent part of my second transfer on buying some livestock such as five goats and two dairy cows. Also, I cleared some school fees arrears for my children since they had had huge balances. I also started a business of selling some vegetables such as tomatoes and kales. With the remaining amount of money, I bought enough foodstuffs for my family and some other household items that I was lacking.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($544 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I saw a message on my phone early in the morning. I was curious to know who could have sent the message. On checking, I realised that I had received KES 55000 on my phone. I was overwhelmed with joy , I couldn't believe at first that this was in my phone. I called to thank GiveDirectly for helping me meet my financial goals.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
I am proud to own some livestock which include three heifers and two goats. These are to me living assets that I am keeping. I believe that through them, the future of my children's education is sorted. They are a saving that will enable me meet my future financial goals since the livestock will reproduce and increase in number. I will be able to sell the offsprings to raise more cash. Owning the livestock makes the biggest difference in my daily life.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
My desire has always been to have assets that I could easily rely on for the sake of my children's future education goals, since they are still young. When I received my first transfer, I spent KES 40000 to purchase three heifers and two goats. I opted to buy these heifers so that as I keep them, I know they will reproduce and increase in number in the near future. I will be leaning on them in case of a financial problem. I also believe that with time, I will be able to educate my young children's to further their studies. I also spent a portion of the transfer to pay for my children's school fees. I am spending the remaining amount to cater for my daily household expenses such as buying foodstuffs and other basic needs.
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means self-reliance to me having depended on my husband's little income entirely for the past 10 years. To achieve this, I intend to start up a kiosk business that will earn us extra income. And that feeling of being part of the support system in the family is what I yearn for the most. Our firstborn children will next year be joining secondary level in school, and this transfer has come at the opportune time. As such, I will invest part of the transfer in goat rearing business and through all these self-employment, food security and quality education for my children will be sustained.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Evening is the happiest part of my day because at this moment, everyone is at ease and we enjoy each other's company over dinner.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
Lack of alternative sources of income has been the biggest hardship in life. Being a housewife, what a depend on mostly is farm work but because of the predictable climatical conditions, oftentimes it is difficult to produce substantial yields and as such, I'm forced to depend on the husband's dismal income. However, with ever bulging needs, it is almost impossible to sufficiently meet all of them, and that has constrained the family's developments. Like for the case of the house that we are living in, we had to move in halfway complete because of lack of adequate finances. Luckily, Give directly is here, I will see to it that all our desires are met.
